We kicked off the official start to summer the best way we knew how to: celebrating our #AerieREAL girls and our Chill. Play. Move.™ collection at Solstice in Times Square: Mind Over Madness Yoga! Did we mention it was also International Yoga Day and National Selfie Day? Yep. OHM-amazing.

We kicked off the AM and got in the #AerieREAL mindset with a Real Talk by Aerie Role Model, Iskra. Then one of our fave NYC yogis, Kathryn Budig, took the stage for a wellness segment about body positivity followed by a quick meditation.

Between each yoga class throughout the day, thousands of attendees were invited to visit Yoga Village. At the Aerie tent, we celebrated with flash tats, a photo booth and a peek at our latest Chill. Play. Move.™ collection.

Aerie x Solstice Sweepstakes winner Katie brought BFF Andi to NYC to celebrate the start of summer! The two spent the day enjoying yoga classes, meditation and wellness in Times Square.

Whether you are hitting the gym in the AM or after work, it’s always best to have your gym bag set, packed, and ready to go! Editing down your must-haves for a work-out is essential to pack light and get out the door quickly before you change your mind. From a fitted Sports Bra to the Gym Bag itself, shop our stylist’s faves above to help make you workout ready for the new year.

Celebrity tabloids, but the real stuff, not the weird stuff you see in TheEnquirer. The “real” stuff!

What does the world need more of?

Love and equality.

How does it feel to know that you won’t be retouched?

It’s empowering because it’s real. It’s something that people take for granted when they look in a magazine.

Do you think retouched images have an impact on young women?

I think a lot of kids don’t even know what retouching is. It’s sad because they don’t get it, and they get older and think it’s ok. Just being comfortable in your own skin is a really big thing that should be happening.

I feel like as I get older, I’ve grown into a more womanly body and that makes me #AerieREAL. “I’m a woman, hear me roar!” kind of a thing. I like my curves and I like being able to look at myself in the mirror and not feel like “Ugh, I wish I could do this and this.” We all have our insecurities, but I’m definitely comfortable in my skin.

Tired of the same old routine? Switch it up with these 10 ideas from CHAARG (Changing Health, Attitudes & Actions to Recreate Girls) to do on a free weekend day or in those few hours after your 9-5 and get addicted to these routine refreshers!

1] BE A TOURIST IN YOUR OWN CITY

Fall in love your city all over again and discover some new favorites! Head into the heart of your city, walk the side streets, check out the shops you’ve never been in before and don’t be afraid to get a little lost. Exploring your own city on foot will force you to look at things in a new light.

2] SAY NO TO NETFLIX

Instead of diving onto the couch immediately after walking in the door, try something different. Take an art class, volunteer in your community or try a new workout class you’ve never done before. The fewer hours you spend in front of the TV, the greater your mental and physical health.

3] REFRESH YOUR HAPPY HOUR

Instead of your go-to place, give your happy hour a different meaning. Pack an easy, travel-friendly picnic dinner, head to a local park and share a meal with friends. Not only will the new scenery be a refreshing change, but you’ll likely save a few dollars. Spending time outdoors can be a serious happiness booster, too!

Do you take the same route to work every morning? It’s pretty easy to switch it up. If you walk to work, try taking a new path, even if it’s a few blocks out of the way. Drive or ride your bike? For a more health-conscious option, try running or cycling home from the office. You’ll see things from a new perspective and that unavoidable commute will feel exciting again.

5] BUSY ALL DAY?

Even if your daily responsibilities run long past 5 pm, you’ve still got time to squeeze in a mini-adventure. Summer skies are usually cloud free, so head out for a nighttime walk the next time there’s a full moon. This new, fresh perspective can be great for sparking creativity or getting a quick mental refresh.

6] CAMP OUT (OR PRETEND TO)

If you or a friend has a truck, pack it up with some snacks, sleeping bags and a couple flashlights. Drive out to a nearby campground and set up camp in the truck bed. You’ll get the feel of camping with no equipment or major planning needed. No truck? Bring the same supplies, build a fire and roast marshmallows, then pack it all up and drive home at the end of the night. You’ll get the camping feel even if you don’t make it an overnight!

7] SIGN UP FOR A RACE IN A NEARBY CITY

Grab some friends and sign up for a race in a different city. You’ll get the chance to explore a new city in a unique way, and race weekends often have great deals on food, hotels and more!

8] CHASE THE SUNSET

Unless you’re a West Coast local, the sunset can be a bit elusive. Just as the evening light begins to fade, hop in your car and start driving toward the sunset. Be sure to bring your GPS so you can find your way back! Find a nice place to stop along the way and watch the last rays of light fade. The excitement of not knowing where you’re going and spending a few hours cruising to your favorite summer songs make this mini-roadtrip feel like a great adventure.

9] JOIN THE DAWN PATROL

If mornings are more your style, try squeezing in a sunrise activity before heading off to work or class. Outdoor workouts like yoga, paddling or hiking give you the added benefits of sunrise views. If it takes you awhile to wake up enough to work out, try grabbing an early morning breakfast with a friend—most cities have cafes that open at 6 for just that.

10] CONTROL YOUR TIME

Are you always wishing you had more time? Turns out you do, but you just haven’t taken advantage of it yet! Did you know that waking up 20 minutes earlier or staying up 20 minutes later each day will earn you 5 more days each year? It’s true! Take 20 to sip your morning coffee and enjoy those few minutes before the world starts buzzing awake, hit the streets for a few quick miles or use that time to try out that hobby you didn’t have time for before.

If these options still seem too challenging to fit into your schedule, remember that simply leaving your phone at home and going for a walk can be enough of a break from the constant buzz, and may be just what you need. Tiny changes can help make big improvements in your daily life!

ABOUT CHAARG //

We believe that working out can (and should!) be fun. We’re an organization of 2,500+ girls at more than 24 universities that encourages college-aged girls to find their fit, whether it’s yoga, CrossFit or anything in between.

You don’t need to be a marathon runner or a weight lifting champion to join—it’s all about finding what works for you. That’s the beauty of CHAARG. We’re a group of real girls with a passion for leading happy, healthy lives.

Teresa Sandoval is a CHAARG blogger from The Ohio State University. She dedicates her free time to any and all activities that let her get outside. When she isn’t taking her dog for a run or spending time in the sunshine, she can be found getting messy and creative in the kitchen.

Have you jumped on the avocado toast train yet? If not, today’s CHAARG (Changing Health, Attitudes & Actions to Recreate Girls) post will bring you up to speed on this amazing snack!

Avocados are incredible nutrition. They provide more potassium than a banana and 15 grams of healthy fats like oleic acid, which has been linked to reduced inflammation and beneficial effects on the genes that fight cancer. The great thing about avocados is they are so versatile—you can add them to smoothies, throw them on tacos for dinner, eat them plain out of a bowl or even add them to desserts. We are avocado obsessed, and after trying these recipes for Avocado Toast, you will be too! Avocado toast is a quick and easy way to get a healthy and filling breakfast or snack. All of these recipes take less than 5 minutes to make and will keep you full and energized for hours!

Blueberries, Pomegranate & Honey

For our sweet lovers! If you’re looking to take a walk on the wild side and try something completely out of the box, this Blueberry, Pomegranate and Honey Avocado Toast is the best combo.

INGREDIENTS

1 mashed avocado

1 toasted slice of bread of your choosing

1 handful of blueberries

1 tbsp pomegranate seeds

1 tbsp honey

DIRECTIONS

Cut and pit the avocado and spoon into a small bowl.

Using a fork, mash it until there are only small chunks left.

Spread the mashed avocado onto the toasted bread and top with blueberries and pom seeds.

Drizzle with honey, serve and enjoy!

Red Pepper, Garlic, Egg & Sriracha

If you like things on the spicy side, this is the toast for you!

INGREDIENTS

1 mashed avocado

1 toasted slice of bread of your choosing

1 sunny side up egg

1 tsp red pepper flakes

1 tsp garlic powder

1 sprinkling of cilantro

1 tbsp Sriracha hot sauce

DIRECTIONS

Cut and pit the avocado and spoon into a small bowl.

Using a fork, mash until there are only small chunks left.

Sprinkle in half of the red pepper and garlic seasoning and mix well.

Spray a pan with non-stick spray and crack the egg into the center of the pan.

Cook over medium to high heat for about 3 to 4 minutes or until the egg white is no longer clear/runny.

Spread the mashed avocado onto the toasted bread, top with the egg and sprinkle with the remaining seasoning and cilantro.

Drizzle with Sriracha, serve and enjoy!

Strawberries, Feta & Balsamic Vinegar

Still thinking about this toast… and so are my friends! It has a great sweet taste from the strawberries, but the balsamic vinegar and feta add an incredible tang to it.

INGREDIENTS

1 mashed avocado

1 toasted slice of bread of your choosing

1 handful sliced strawberries

1 tbsp crumbled feta cheese

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

DIRECTIONS

Cut and pit the avocado and spoon into a small bowl.

Using a fork, mash until there are only small chunks left.

Spread the mashed avocado onto the toasted bread and top with the sliced strawberries and feta cheese crumbles.

Drizzle with balsamic vinegar, serve and enjoy!

Get creative and make up your own combinations! You really can’t go wrong with avocado, so get crazy and let us know what you come up with.

ABOUT CHAARG

We believe that working out can (and should!) be fun. We’re an organization of 2,500+ girls at more than 24 universities that encourages college-aged girls to find their fit, whether it’s yoga, CrossFit or anything in between.

You don’t need to be a marathon runner or a weight lifting champion to join—it’s all about finding what works for you. That’s the beauty of CHAARG. We’re a group of real girls with a passion for leading happy, healthy lives.

Morgan Simpson is a CHAARG blogger from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She spends her free time cooking, kickboxing and spending time with her black lab pup, Cabela. You’ll find her snapping pictures of anything/everything she eats.Looking for other delicious breakfast ideas? Check out our 5 favorite healthy breakfast recipes here!

Bring on the sun and humidity because it’s finally summer! (YAY!) This summer is all about finding what makes you happy and healthy, and today’s CHAARG (Changing Health, Attitudes & Actions to Recreate Girls) post rounds up five of our favorite fun outdoor summer workouts. So throw on your favorite gear, gather your friends and get movin’!

Hiking

Find your inner mountain girl and head out to your local park. Parks across the U.S. have trails that vary in length and difficulty, so find a course that matches your fitness level. When you go, make sure to pack the necessary gear for the amount of time you plan to spend hiking, including snacks, sunscreen and most importantly, water.

Paddle Boarding

you’re looking for a workout to tone your entire body, including your abs, this is the one for you. Stand-up paddle boarding requires you to use a combination of balance and strength. Core muscles are in constant use to maintain your balance, and leg and arm muscles are used to propel yourself forward. It’s low impact, but it’ll torch hundreds of calories per hour. Don’t worry if you’ve never boarded before. Classes are often offered at different levels to ensure that everyone is comfortable and safe on his or her board.

5K, 10K, ANY-K Run

Summer is the time that runners come out to play. Yes, many runners prefer cooler spring and fall months, but summer is when fun runs are at their height. Not all races have to be done for PRs (personal records), and in the warmer summer months, expecting to beat your previous mile times during every race would be silly. It’s sometimes just too hot. Challenge yourself to let go of the technical details and enjoy a fun run!

Outdoor Yoga, Pilates, Barre

Discover your “om” in nature. Yoga, pilates and barre studios love to take advantage of the great weather by hosting classes in local parks or—if you’re lucky—beaches. You’d be surprised what a little sunrise yoga can do to start your day!

Cycling

You’ve done indoor spinning classes. You’ve gone on scenic bike rides. Now it’s time to kick it up a notch. Grab your bike and a group of friends and head out for a fun, sweaty day in the sun. Pick a trail near you or plan a route prior to leaving, so you know exactly how far you plan to be riding that day and pack fuel (water, snacks, etc.) accordingly.

Do you have a trail that you love or a favorite outdoor program in your city? Share it with us! We’re always looking for new workouts, and with more than 5,000 CHAARG girls around the country, you may just help a girl find her new favorite workout spot.

ABOUT CHAARG

We believe that working out can (and should!) be fun. We’re an organization of 2,500+ girls at more than 24 universities that encourages college-aged girls to find their fit, whether it’s yoga, CrossFit or anything in between.

You don’t need to be a marathon runner or a weight lifting champion to join—it’s all about finding what works for you. That’s the beauty of CHAARG. We’re a group of real girls with a passion for leading happy, healthy lives.

Grace Murray is a CHAARG blogger from Kent State University. She divides her free time between CrossFit and running, and plans to tackle her first marathon this fall. When she’s not studying or exercising, she’s eating enough carrots and peanut butter to feed four out of New York’s five boroughs.